GdS: Pioli tempted to play Daniel Maldini in surprise position against Rio Ave

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is tempted to play Daniel Maldini as a striker in Portugal against Rio Ave, a report claims.

Pioli has a depleted squad to choose from for the Europa League Play-Off with defender Mateo Musacchio, Leo Duarte, Alessio Romagnoli and Andrea Conti not fit, while Ante Rebic is suspended (and injured) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic has Coronavirus.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews), in Wednesday’s training Pioli experimented with a surprise move: playing Daniel Maldini as centre-forward.

Lorenzo Colombo, who scored in the previous European match against Bodo/Glimt, remains the favourite for a starting shirt, but Maldini Jr. in attack is something that obviously teases the coach.

In all likelihood, the dilemma will accompany Pioli’s thoughts throughout today’s morning, and seeing a Maldini back in Europe would attract a certain media attention.

One thing is certain: Pioli will choose between his two youngest forwards, as Colombo turned 18 in March while Daniel will be 19 in ten days.

Tags AC Milan Daniel Maldini
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